Chapter 303 (1/2)

Elreim Castle, which existed in the central part of Vice-City Kashnart, was normally the castle where the royal family lineage that followed the eldest child’s lineage in the throne succession order, such as the crown prince’s younger brother, would live in.

It was managed by the dispatched prefectural governor since there currently didn’t exist any royalty that should be living there……but First Princess Narika’s army came along, and occupied it.

The one sitting on that throne, was a single woman. Having her golden hair in tight little curls, she was beautiful, however, she emitted an intimidating air that would make one want to fall to the back from just a glance.

Her name, was Narika. Being the First Princess of the Canal Kingdom, she was the commanding officer of the army that was stationed here in Kashnart.

Today, the usually displeased-looking Narika had a rare case of being in a good mood.However, in front of her, the Royal Court Magician Mazenda was making a face as if she had bitten a bitter bug.

「……Narika-sama. What is this paper?」

Mazenda thrust out a torn down copy of the 「Chivalric Order member selection」 proclamation that had been pasted up throughout the town to Narika.

The time that Mazenda came back from bustling about here and there was just this morning.The official notice of the 「Chivalric Order member selection」 that had already been widely propagated couldn’t be taken back at this late point in time.

In response to Mazenda’s question that had even anger packed within it, the throned Narika smiled while fiddling with the golden staff that was in her hands.

「Just as you can see, it is a proclamation of a Chivalric Order member selection.」

「Why, would you do such a thing?」

「Is there really a need to explain.」

Narika and Mazenda glared at each other……and before long, Narika shrugged her shoulders in a way as if to say that it couldn’t be helped.

「As long as we are at war, knights will be consumable goods. Preparing for the decisive battle with that failure, and obtaining excellent personnel is a duty that I have.」

「Putting aside if it were just a normal war, do you understand that this is a civil war? What will you do if special agents get mixed in.」

「That is impossible.」

Narika waved her hand at Mazenda as if she were exasperated with her.

「Listen well, Mazenda. Who am I?」

「You are the First Princess of the Canal Kingdom, Narika-sama.」

「That is right. I am the one with first rights to the inheritance, Narika……The legitimate successor of this country. You also know about how even father had guaranteed my legitimacy, right?」

「……Yes, I know that very well.」

Seeing Mazenda become expressionless, Narika made a face filled with confidence while patting the palm of her own hand with the golden staff.

「That is right, everyone knows it. That I……am the one who is legitimate. Fools that wouldn’t obey that, wouldn’t possibly be here.」

Even while listening to those words that were all too foolish, Mazenda persisted with being expressionless.

It was because there was a great number of people that didn’t obey that legitimacy that Narika heralded that a civil war had broken out. The question of why the ones who obeyed her were not 「all of the Chivalric Orders」 had probably not even crossed Narika’s mind.

The ones gathered here in Kashnart were those that 「revered Narika」 or 「opposed Celis」, but there was no guarantee that there weren’t people that pretended to be those to be found.

Putting aside if this were a time of peace, in this situation of being in a civil war, things like authority and legitimacy were nothing more than tools to advocate one’s own justice.

「……Yes, it is just as you say.」

However, Mazenda agreed with her and lowered her head.

When she did, Narika snorted with a “hmph”, sounding satisfied.

「It is fine as long as you understand. Mazenda, you are just a Magician after all. It cannot be helped that you are estranged from the matters of politics.」

「I am nothing but ashamed……By the way, Narika-sama, it would seem there is something about an armed tournament on this proclamation but……?」

「That is right. There would be no use in hiring weaklings, right?」

「I see, I see. Well then, what about this document examination test……?」

「Knights also need to be educated. There is no need for idiots.」

Saying “so that was the case”, Mazenda nodded.

It wasn’t an idea made up on the spot, it seemed that she had more or less thought about it.

「Well then, Mazenda, I will leave the management of it to you.」

「Ha?」

「I am saying that I am giving you work. If it is that much, you can do it, right?」